仏涅槃図|Death of the Historical Buddha (Nehan-zu)
Unknown Artist
15th century
Medium
Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk
Dimensions
Image: 74 x 43 5/16 in. (188 x 110 cm) Overall with mounting: 114 1/2 × 56 in. (290.8 × 142.2 cm) Overall with knobs: 114 1/2 x 59 1/2 in. (290.8 x 151.1 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Culture & Period
Japan · Muromachi period (1392–1573)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Susan Dwight Bliss, 1944
Accession Number
44.35.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite hanging scroll, *Death of the Historical Buddha (han-zu)*, from Japan's Muromachi period (1392–1573), captures the poignant moment of the Buddha'sinirvana—his final passing into eternal nirvana. Created by an unknown artist in the 15 century, it depicts theining Buddha surrounded by grieving disciples, deities, and even mourning animals like elephants, symbolizing universal sorrow over his death. These *Nehan-zu* were vital in Buddhist temples, unrolled during memorial rituals to evoke empathy and contemplation of impermanence. Rendered in ink, vibrant colors, and gold on silk—...